Prayer

I just have to say....I'm so impressed with the amount of prayers that have been said in behalf of my dad. He's on at least 6 temple prayer rolls, had candles lit for him, and on prayer lists for many other religious congregations. In a world with so much religious turmoil, I love that we can all come together and pray in our own way for someone. It's very uniting and such a blessing when we feel like we can't do anything but wait. He had a priesthood blessing by my uncle and their neighbor before the paramedics even arrived. After the second stroke on Thursday night, my mom, sister, brother, nephew, and niece stood around him in the ICU and said a family prayer for him. It was such a wonderful peace at such a scary time. 2 hours later, things got as dark as they had been as he was rushed into emergency surgery. We had all thought he was gone. Knowing we had had that moment of peace together was very comforting to me. Bill gave me a blessing that night to calm me down (this is all so fun while 8 months pregnant and emotional...my mom will kill me if I go into early labor) and he had given my mom one earlier in the day. It truly got me through the night.  Luckily, he is improving, though slowly. I really like being there with him because I know he's in there working his hardest to get better.  We are not sure of the future, but know we are supported. My mom is a rock and doing great. My brother, Mark, flew in and has been taking up the slack for all of us. So, in a nutshell, we are all doing pretty good. Just hopeful for progress. Thank you for all your concern and I don't mind to ask you to still keep praying! 

Stroke Update Blog

Just an FYI..my brother set up an update blog about my dad's stroke and his progress. For any who are interested, it is

www.timupdate.blogspot.com 

Just so you know....

My dad has suffered a series of strokes and has not done too well. We were feeling good about things, but it took a dramatic turn last night. Please keep he and my mom in your prayers. He's an amazing man and we are not ready to lose him. Thank you, blog-friends, for your support. 

As summer winds down....

Ah...school starts tomorrow. I'm not sure how I feel about it. I love to have my kids doing something great and productive, but sometimes the schedule totally wears me out. I've been an O.K. mom this summer, but haven't really pulled out all the bells and whistles given my condition. I felt guilty in the last few days, so we hit Wheeler Farm on Friday (in a million degrees heat) and swimming yesterday (in a million degrees heat). There was ward movie night on Friday, which was awesome, because it was COOL in the evening. 

(riding Marshmellow the horse)

(feeding the un-hungry ducks)

(the kids loved this rooster....they named him the Hannah Montana rooster because of his crazy rock star hair. )

(Quinn, finally being brave in the fountains. Emi finally decided to go down the big waterslide. She has done it in the past, but has had an attack of nervousness about such things this summer)

(Parker, the fish)

The best thing I did this summer: introduce Parker to the "Wimpy Kid" books and Emi to the "Ramona" books. Kept them busy!

The worst thing I did this summer: let Parker and Emi totally entertain Quinn all the time. That little boy is going to be LOST without his bro and sis.

The laziest thing I did this summer: never worked out. I figured I could at least go on a walk a day. It was rare that I did. I was already completely swollen so it was hard to want to go and swell up more. It's flip-flops till this baby comes out.

The most time-consuming thing I did this summer: Facebook. It must be balanced. I'm kind of over it now.

The stupidest thing I have done all summer: I started teaching dance again last week. Pulled my groin muscle. Seriously cannot walk. As if I wasn't attractive enough right now, let's add a limp.

Best house thing I did this summer: My nursery. I'm really proud of it, and I'm not even done. 

Worst house thing I did this summer: I let sunflowers take over my zinnia garden. Long story.

Best thing overall: Coronado. Enjoy every second of it.

Happy start of school! Back to the rat race. 

Nesting with a Vengeance!

So.... I have had a MAJOR need to nest this summer. As with all things this pregnancy, this need was as strong as the morning sickness, heartburn, and exhaustion.  Nesting is a very real thing. I'm not sure if it's the desire to have a really clean house (which mine is not) or just to do the million things on your house list because life stops when a newborn shows up. I think it's the latter for me. Plus, I don't teach in the summer, so I go full force. 

I have put up new curtains in my living room,

Painted, re-carpeted, and redecorated the nursery (yes, I bought a new crib and new bedding....selling old stuff. I'm being very frivolous this pregnancy). I've still got to figure out wall decor in here, so any of you little decorator friends can come help me do it right.

New slate floor in my master bath...after a plumbing mishap, it was in serious need of a switch. Glad to get rid of the 90's linoleum and carpet. 

I even dusted the tops of these shelves....o.k. Bill did. But I supervised.

I re-carpeted the master bedroom, Quinn's room, the nursery and the living room. This is what that half of the house looks like when it is squished into the great room. Those are a few days I do not hope to relive!

So, will my little baby girl care. No. But I will. I feel good to be able to cross some projects off my list. Still have more to do! I start teaching next week, so I must be Super Woman in the next few days. Should be interesting. Wish me luck.